Article 87 of the Saudi Law of Evidence
المادة 87 من نظام الإثبات · الفصل الثاني: حجية الأمر المقضي
The court is bound by a criminal judgment related to the case before it only on the facts it decided where that decision was necessary, and by an acquittal only if it rested on denying that the act is attributable to the accused.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
لا تتقيد المحكمة بالحكم الجزائي المرتبط بالدعوى المعروضة عليها إلا في الوقائع التي فصل فيها ذلك الحكم، وكان فصله فيها ضرورياً، ومع ذلك لا تتقيد بالحكم الصادر بعدم الإدانة إلا إذا قام على نفي نسبة الواقعة إلى المتهم.
This is the official Arabic wording, the only legally binding version. We do not translate the law itself; the explanation below is ours. Official source: Bureau of Experts at the Council of Ministers
Article 87 explained in plain English
This article deals with the relationship between a criminal judgment (issued in a criminal case) and another related case before the court, such as a claim for a right or compensation arising from the same incident.
General rule: the court is not bound by a criminal judgment related to the case before it except under two conditions:
- The binding effect is limited to the facts the criminal judgment decided.
- Its decision on them was necessary.
Judgment of non-conviction: the court is not bound by a judgment of non-conviction unless it rested on denying that the act is attributable to the accused.
In practice, this means:
- If the non-conviction judgment rested on the accused not having committed the act at all, that is, on denying that it is attributable to him, the court is bound by it.
- If the non-conviction judgment rested on some other ground, the court is not bound by it, and it remains free to hear the case before it.
This article complements Article 86, which gives conclusive effect to judgments that have acquired the force of res judicata on what they decided, provided the parties, their capacities, and the right in object and cause are the same, and which has the court apply it of its own motion.
Because determining the basis of a criminal judgment and what it necessarily decided requires careful reading of its reasons, anyone with a case connected to a criminal judgment is advised to consult a lawyer who specializes in criminal matters or in civil and compensation claims.
Practical example
Sami was accused of damaging his neighbor's car, and a criminal judgment of non-conviction was issued. The neighbor then sued him for compensation. If the non-conviction judgment rested on denying that the damage was attributable to Sami, the court is bound by it. If it rested on some other ground, the court is not bound by it when hearing the compensation claim.
Translated from our Arabic explanation with machine assistance. For guidance only; it does not replace advice from a lawyer on your situation.
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Frequently asked questions about Article 87 of the Saudi Law of Evidence
Does an acquittal prevent a claim for compensation?
The court is not bound by a judgment of non-conviction unless it rested on denying that the act is attributable to the accused.
When is the court bound by what a criminal judgment says?
It is bound on the facts that judgment decided, where its decision on them was necessary.
Is the court bound by everything in a criminal judgment?
No. The binding effect is limited to the facts the judgment decided where its decision on them was necessary.
More articles on Presumptions, Custom and Res Judicata
- Article 84
Presumptions provided for by Sharia or by law spare the person in whose favor they are established from any other means of proof, and the other side may rebut them by any means unless a provision says otherwise.
القرائن المنصوص عليها شرعاً أو نظاماً تغني من قررت لمصلحته عن أي طريق آخر من طرق الإثبات، على أنه يجوز نقض دلالتها بأي طريق آخر؛ ما لم يوجد نص يقضي بغير ذلك.
- Article 85
The article allows the court to infer other presumptions in matters provable by witness testimony, explaining how they point to the fact, and to use scientific means for that purpose.
1- للمحكمة أن تستنبط قرائن أخرى للإثبات، وذلك في الأحوال التي يجوز فيها الإثبات بالشهادة؛ على أن تبين وجه دلالتها. 2- للمحكمة الاستعانة بالوسائل العلمية في استن
- Article 86
The article provides that judgments that have acquired the force of res judicata are conclusive on what they decided and no evidence may be accepted to undo this, provided the parties, their capacities, and the right in object and cause are the same; the court applies it of its own motion.
الأحكام التي حازت حجية الأمر المقضي حجةٌ فيما فصلت فيه من الحقوق، ولا يجوز قبول دليل ينقض هذه الحجية. ولا تكون لتلك الأحكام هذه الحجية إلا في نزاع قام بين الخصو
- Article 88
The article allows proof by custom or by the usual course of dealing between the parties, where no special provision or agreement between the parties applies and the custom does not contradict public order.
يجوز الإثبات بالعرف، أو العادة بين الخصوم، وذلك فيما لم يرد فيه نص خاص أو اتفاق بين الأطراف أو فيما لا يخالف النظام العام.
- Article 89
The article requires whoever relies on custom or the usual course of dealing between the parties to prove its existence at the time of the incident, and allows any party to challenge its proof and counter it with something stronger.
1- على من يتمسك بالعرف أو العادة بين الخصوم أن يثبت وجودهما وقت الواقعة. 2- لأي من الخصوم الطعن في ثبوت العرف أو العادة بين الخصوم، كما أن لهم معارضتهما بما هو
- Article 90
The article provides that, in case of conflict, the usual course of dealing between the parties and special custom take priority over general custom.
تقدم العادة بين الخصوم والعرف الخاص على العرف العام عند التعارض.
The texts are reproduced from the official website of the Bureau of Experts at the Council of Ministers for reference; where they differ, the officially published Arabic text prevails. This content is not legal advice.